UKPD Holds First Ceremony to Recognize Department Promotions

LEXINGTON, Ky.  (Oct. 3, 2017) – For the first time, the University of Kentucky Police Department held a formal ceremony Friday to recognize the promotion of two leaders in the department. Sergeant Randall Webb was promoted to lieutenant and Officer John Stanko was promoted to sergeant. Both received new badges indicating their higher rank, which were pinned on their uniforms by their respective spouses during the ceremony.

The ceremony was held thanks in large part to the recent establishment of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (CPAAA), which provides much needed support to the UK Police Department.

Webb and Stanko were chosen from prospective candidates who submitted letters of interest, went through internal reviews and completed a panel interview.

"These men have demonstrated the highest levels of commitment to their peers, commanders and members of the community,” said UKPD Chief Joe Monroe. “They embody the core values and mission of this department and have distinguished themselves through their words and more importantly, their actions."

Webb joined the UK Police Department in 2007 and has been promoted in rank every three years. He has been a member of the Dignitary Protection Team, a specially trained unit that provides security to visiting dignitaries to UK; a training officer responsible for imparting practical and institutional knowledge of UKPD to newly graduated officers from the Police Academy; a firearms instructor who teaches and maintains basic gun handling and marksmanship skills; and is the athletic liaison to the UK Men’s Basketball Team. Last year he was awarded the Supervisor of the Year award for exemplifying leadership, integrity and trustworthiness.

Stanko joined the UK Police Department in 2013 and is currently a training officer; member of the Dignitary Protection Team; and a member of the motor unit, which promotes a stronger sense of community given the visibility and accessibility that comes with riding a motorcycle. Last year, Stanko won the Officer of the Year award and as a result, was invited to throw the first pitch at a Lexington Legends game.

"It has taken years of hard work, time away from family and great sacrifice to become leaders in this law enforcement agency,” Monroe said during the ceremony. “In the words of the celebrated five star General Douglas MacArthur, ‘A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others.’ And that is what we are celebrating today during the historic promotional ceremony of Lt. Webb and Sgt. Stanko. True leadership.”